29 Sep Is It Just a Cold or Something More?

You wake up sneezing, coughing, feeling achy all over and have a fever. Do you have the flu, or is it just a cold? Learn how to differentiate between the flu and a cold with these tips.

Protect Yourself Against the Flu
It’s flu season, and while it may seem like the flu spreads like wildfire every year, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. The medical staff at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney recommends the following steps to stay healthy this winter.

1. Get your flu shot.
Vaccination is the best protection against the flu. Plus, when we get the vaccine, we are also helping to protect those who can’t have the vaccine for medical reasons or babies who are too young for the vaccine.

“The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older, without contraindications, be vaccinated,” said Shane Pahlavan, MD, on staff at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney. “Those who are 65 or older should get a high-dose vaccine.”

Afraid of shots? Healthy individuals between ages 2 and 49 may have the option of FluMist®, a flu vaccine sprayed into the nose.

“There are some possible side effects with the flu vaccine, such as mild pain at the site and low-grade fever,” said Dr. Pahlavan, “but the benefits outweigh the risks in most people. If you have had problems with the flu vaccine in the past or you have an egg allergy, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.”

2. Avoid people who are ill.
Germs travel quickly, so if you know someone who is sick, avoid contact. If you can’t avoid them, wear a mask. Dr. Pahlavan advises avoiding large crowds, like those at malls or concerts during the height of flu season, especially if you have a chronic condition or a suppressed immune system.

3. Wash your hands.  
The cleaner your hands are, the less likely you are to spread the flu—remember, all it takes for germs to enter your body is a rub of your eye, nose or mouth. “It’s one of the easiest things you can do to help prevent the flu from spreading to your friends and loved ones,” said Dr. Pahlavan.

Cold symptoms:
Many times, a sore throat lasting one or two days is the first symptom of a cold.  Other symptoms that follow include runny nose, congestion and coughing. Most adults do not experience fever with a cold, but sometimes children do.

Flu symptoms:
While colds often come on gradually, flu symptoms typically strike quickly. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle pain, congestion, fatigue, and coughing.

Length of Illness:
A cold is less severe than the flu, and cold symptoms typically only last for a few days or sometimes up to a week. If your cold symptoms do not improve after a week, see your doctor as you may have a bacterial infection and need antibiotics. Cold symptoms are easily mistaken for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and sinus infections.

“The majority of flu symptoms improve within four to five days, but some symptoms, especially cough, may linger for one to two weeks,” said Shane Pahlavan, MD, on staff at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, “If left untreated, the flu can also lead to more severe health problems like pneumonia, predominantly in young, elderly, and those with lung, heart or chronic medical problems.”

What’s the difference:
Flu and cold symptoms are often very similar. Be sure to take your temperature to help differentiate between the two viruses. A temperature of over 101 degrees Fahrenheit may indicate that you have the flu. An initial fever is a common symptom at the onset of the flu. In addition, you are more likely to experience body aches when you have the flu. Dr. Pahlavan encourages all people 6 months and older to get their flu vaccination annually. He also encourages anyone who feels they may have the flu to see their physician as soon as possible.